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Four strains, designated dk4302 T , dk4209, xlx-73 T , and xlx-183, were isolated from Tibetan gazelle and red swamp crawfish collected from the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau and Jiangxi Province, PR China. The strains were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, mucoid, and yellow-pigmented. Strains dk4302 T and dk4209 grew at 10-40 °C and pH 6.0-9.0, while strains xlx-73 T /xlx-183 grew at 15-40 °C and pH 6.0-10.0. Both strains exhibited growth in the presence of up to 3.5 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic and phylogenomic analyses based on the 16S rRNA gene sequences and 652 core genes, respectively, revealed that the four strains formed two distinct clusters in the genus Sphingobacterium . Strains dk4302 T and dk4209 formed a distinct clade with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4 T and Sphingobacterium humi D1 T . The most closely related strains to xlx-73 T and xlx-183 were Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103 T . The DNA G+C contents were 38.9 and 39.8 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between dk4302 T and S. humi D1 T and S. hotanense XH4 T were 19.2 and 21.8 % (19.0 and 21.6 % for strain dk4209), respectively. The corresponding average nucleotide identity (ANI) values were 74.3 and 78.1 % (74.4 and 78.3 % for strain dk4209), respectively. The dDDH values between xlx-73 T (xlx-183) and S. nematocida M-SX103 T was 24.6 % (25.7 %). The corresponding ANI value was 85.7 % (85.5 % for strain xlx-183). The major fatty acid and respiratory quinone of dk4302 T and xlx-73 T were iso-C 15:0 and MK7. The polar lipids identified in all of the novel strains were phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphoglycolipids, aminophospholipids, and phospholipids. A total of 61/190 (32.1 %) and 82/190 (43.2 %) carbon substrates were metabolized by strains dk4302 T and xlx-73 T in the Biolog MicroPlates, respectively. Based on the results from this polyphasic taxonomic study, two novel species in the genus Sphingobacteruim are proposed, namely Sphingobacteruim zhuxiongii sp. nov. (type strain dk4302 T =CGMCC 1.16795 T =JCM 33600 T ) and Sphingobacteruimluzhongxinii sp. nov. (type strain xlx-73 T =GDMCC 1.1712 T =JCM 33886 T ).

A bacterial strain designated PU5-4 T was isolated from the mealworm (the larvae of Tenebrio molitor ) intestines. It was identified to be Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, and non-spore-forming. Strain PU5-4 T was observed to grow at 10-40 °C, at pH 7.0-10.0, and in the presence of 0-3.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain PU5-4 T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium . The 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain PU5-4 T was closely related to the type strains of Sphingobacterium lactis DSM 22361 T (98.49 %), Sphingobacterium endophyticum NYYP31 T (98.11 %), Sphingobacterium soli NCCP 698 T (97.69 %) and Sphingobacterium olei HAL-9 T (95.73 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone is MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C 15 : 0 , iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 6 c ) and summed feature 9 (iso-C 17 : 0  ω 9 c ). The polar lipids are phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, and six unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain PU5-4 T is 40.24 mol%. The average nucleotide identity of strain PU5-4 T exhibited respective values of 73.88, 73.37, 73.36 and 70.84 % comparing to the type strains of S. lactis DSM 22361 T , S. soli NCCP 698 T , S. endophyticum NYYP31 T and S. olei HAL-9 T , which are below the cut-off level (95-96 %) for species delineation. Based on the above results, strain PU5-4 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium temoinsis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is PU5-4 T (=CGMCC 1.61908 T =JCM 36663 T ).

An aerobic, Gram-stain-negative and short rod-shaped bacterial strain, designated M6-31 T , was isolated from rice paddy soil sampled in Miryang, Republic of Korea. Growth was observed at 4-35 °C (optimum, 28 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0-4 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0 % w/v). Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences grouped strain M6-31 T with Sphingobacterium bambusae IBFC2009 T , Sphingobacterium griseoflavum SCU-B140 T and Sphingobacterium solani MLS-26-JM13-11 T in the same clade, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 95.8 to 96.6 %. A genome-based phylogenetic tree reconstructed by using all publicly available Sphingobacterium genomes placed strain M6-31 T with S. bambusae KACC 22910 T , ' Sphingobacterium deserti ' ACCC 05744 T , S. griseoflavum CGMCC 1.12966 T and Sphingobacterium paludis CGMCC 1.12801 T . Orthologous average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain M6-31 T and its closely related strains were lower than 74.6 and 22.0 %, respectively. The respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were C 15 : 0 iso, C 17 : 0 iso 3OH and summed feature 3. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genotypic data obtained in this study showed that strain M6-31 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium oryzagri sp. nov. (type strain M6-31 T =KACC 22765 T =JCM 35893 T ) is proposed.

An investigation of the diversity of 1-aminocyclopropane-1-carboxylate deaminase producing bacteria associated with camel faeces revealed the presence of a novel bacterial strain designated C459-1 T . It was Gram-stain-negative, short-rod-shaped and non-motile. Strain C459-1 T was observed to grow optimally at 35 °C, at pH 7.0 and in the presence of 0 % NaCl on Luria-Bertani agar medium. The cells were found to be positive for catalase and oxidase activities. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as iso-C 15 : 0 , summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 6 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 7 c ) and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, one sphingophospholipid, two unknown aminophospholipids, three unknown glycolipids and five unknown lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that strain C459-1 T was affiliated with the genus Sphingobacterium and had the highest sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium tabacisoli h337 T (97.0 %) and Sphingobacterium paucimobilis HER1398 T (95.6 %). The average nucleotide identity and digital DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain C459-1 T and S. tabacisoli h337 T were 83.8 and 33.8 %, respectively. Phenotypic characteristics including enzyme activities and carbon source utilization differentiated strain C459-1 T from other Sphingobacterium species. Based on its phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties, strain C459-1 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium faecale sp. nov. is proposed, with strain is C459-1 T (CGMCC 1.18716 T =KCTC 82381 T ) as the type strain.

Two novel bacterial strains, designated as DN00404 T and DN04309 T , were isolated from aquaculture water and characterized by using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Cells of strains DN00404 T and DN04309 T were Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile, oxidase-positive and catalase-positive. Cells of DN00404 T were short rod-shaped and those of DN04309 T were long rod-shaped. Strain DN00404 T was found to grow at 15-37 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 6.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 7.5) and in 0-2.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0 %). Strain DN04309 T was found to grow at 15-45 °C (optimum, 20-37 °C), at pH 5.5-11.0 (optimum, 7.5) and in 0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5 %). Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA gene and genome sequences revealed that the two strains belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and were distinct from all known species of this genus. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between the two strains and between each of the two strains and related type strains of this genus were well below the recognized thresholds of 95.0-96.0 % ANI and 70.0 % dDDH for species delineation. The genomic DNA G+C contents of strains DN00404 T and DN04309 T were 41.6 and 36.0 mol%, respectively. The respiratory quinone in both strains was identified as MK-7, and their major fatty acids were iso-C 15 : 0 and summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 6 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 7 c ), which were similar to those of other species of this genus. The two major fatty acids C 16 : 0 and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH were also found in strain DN00404 T . Based on genotypic and phenotypic characteristics, two novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium are proposed: Sphingobacterium micropteri sp. nov. with DN00404 T (=GDMCC 1.1865 T =KACC 21924 T ) as the type strain and Sphingobacterium litopenaei sp. nov. with DN04309 T (=GDMCC 1.1984 T =KCTC 82348 T ) as the type strain.

A Gram-reaction-negative bacterial strain, designated Kb22 T , was isolated from agricultural soil and characterized using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. On the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, the strain shows highest similarity (94.39 %) to Sphingobacterium nematocida M-SX103 T . The highest average nucleotide identity value (71.83 %) was found with Sphingobacterium composti T5-12 T , and the highest amino acid identity value (66.65 %) was found with Sphingobacterium olei HAL-9 T . Cells are aerobic, non-motile rods. The isolate was found to be positive for catalase and oxidase tests. The assembled genome of strain Kb22 T has a total length of 4,06 Mb, the DNA G+C content is 38.1 mol%. The only isoprenoid quinone is menaquinone 7 (MK-7). The major fatty acids are iso-C 15:0 (28.4%), summed feature 3 (C 16:1 ω7 c and/or iso-C 15:0 2-OH) (25.7 %) and iso-C 17:0 3-OH (19.7 %). Based on phenotypic characteristics and phylogenetic results, it is concluded that strain Kb22 T is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and represents a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium hungaricum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of the species is strain Kb22 T (=LMG 31574 T =NCAIM B.02638 T ).

A bacterial strain, arapr2 T , was isolated from agricultural soil sampled in Reims, France. Based on its 16S rRNA gene sequence, the strain was affiliated to the family Sphingobacteriaceae and more specifically to the genus Sphingobacterium . The strain had 98.31 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to its closest relative Sphingobacterium canadense CR11 T and 98.25 % to Sphingobacterium pakistanensis NCCP-246 T . Genome relatedness indexes revealed that the average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridization (dDDH) values between arapr2 T and its closest relative ( S. canadense CR11 T ) were 92.97 % and 52.00 %, respectively; for S. pakistanensis NCCP-246 T , the ANI and dDDH values were 82.46 and 27.6%, respectively. The genomic DNA of strain arapr2 T was 6.02 Mbp long, had a DNA G+C content of 40.4 mol% and had 5504 protein-coding genes. The results obtained in this study suggests that strain arapr2 T (CIP 111872 T =LMG 31848 T ) represents a new species for which the name Sphingobacterium prati sp. nov. is proposed. Due to the fact that this strain has been isolated using wheat straw as carbon source, this novel bacterial strain represents a promising biotechnological tool for the fractionation of lignocellulosic biomass in the context of biorefinery development.

A novel Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, yellowish bacterium, designated strain 1.3611 T , was isolated from the wormcast of Eisenia foetida . The strain grew optimally at 30-37 ℃, at pH 7.0 and with 0-1.0 % (w/v) NaCl. Based on the results of 16S rRNA gene sequence and phylogenetic analyses, strain 1.3611 T showed the highest degree of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium olei HAL-9 T (97.0 %), followed by Sphingobacterium alkalisoli Y3L14 T (95.8 %). The respiratory quinone of strain 1.3611 T was menaquinone-7 (MK-7) and its major cellular fatty acids were iso-C 15 : 0 (41.3 %), summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 6 c , 22.1 %) and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH (16.2 %). The major polar lipids were sphingophospholipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, four unidentified glycolipids, two unidentified phospholipids and five unidentified polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 39.0 mol%. The digital DNA-DNA hybridization and average nucleotide identity values between the genomes of strain 1.3611 T and S. olei HAL-9 T were 37.9 and 88.9 %, respectively. According to the phenotypic and chemotaxonomic phylogenetic results, strain 1.3611 T should represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium lumbrici sp. nov. is proposed, with strain 1.3611 T (=KCTC 62980 T =CCTCC AB 2018349 T ) as the type strain.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming, aerobic bacterium, designated type strain SSI9 T , was isolated from sand fly ( Phlebotomus papatasi Scopoli; Diptera: Psychodidae ) rearing substrate and subjected to polyphasic taxonomic analysis. Strain SSI9 T contained phosphatidylethanolamine as a major polar lipid, MK-7 as the predominant quinone, and C 16 : 1 ω6 c /C 16 : 1 ω 7c , iso-C 15 : 0 , iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH and C 16 : 0 as the major cellular fatty acids. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that SSI9 T represents a member of the genus Sphingobacterium , of the family Sphingobacteriaceae sharing 96.5-88.0 % sequence similarity with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium . The results of multilocus sequence analysis using the concatenated sequences of the housekeeping genes rec A, rpl C and gro L indicated that SSI9 T formed a separate branch in the genus Sphingobacterium . The genome of SSI9 T is 5 197 142 bp with a DNA G+C content of 41.8 mol% and encodes 4395 predicted coding sequences, 49 tRNAs, and three complete rRNAs and two partial rRNAs. SSI9 T could be distinguished from other species of the genus Sphingobacterium with validly published names by several phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and genomic characteristics. On the basis of the results of this polyphasic taxonomic analysis, the bacterial isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium phlebotomi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SSI9 T (=ATCC TSD-210 T =LMG 31664 T =NRRL B-65603 T ).

Two Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strains, 36D10-4-7 T and 30C10-4-7 T , were isolated from bark canker tissue of Populus × euramericana , respectively. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that strain 36D10-4-7 T shows 98.0 % sequence similarity to Sphingomonas adhaesiva DSM 7418 T , and strain 30C10-4-7 T shows highest sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium arenae H-12 T (95.6 %). Average nucleotide identity analysis indicates that strain 36D10-4-7 T is a novel member different from recognized species in the genus Sphingomonas . The main fatty acids and respiratory quinone detected in strain 36D10-4-7 T are C 18 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 18 : 1  ω 6 c and Q-10, respectively. The polar lipids are diphosphatidylglycerol, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylglycerol, aminolipid, phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingoglycolipid, two uncharacterized phospholipids and two uncharacterized lipids. For strain 30C10-4-7 T , the major fatty acids and menaquinone are iso-C 15 : 0 , C 16 : 1  ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω 6 c and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH and MK-7, respectively. The polar lipid profile includes phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids, two aminophospholipids and six unidentified lipids. Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, these two strains represent two novel species within the genera Sphingomonas and Sphingobacterium . The name Sphingomonas corticis sp. nov. (type strain 36D10-4-7 T =CFCC 13112 T =KCTC 52799 T ) and Sphingobacterium corticibacterium sp. nov. (type strain 30C10-4-7 T =CFCC 13069 T =KCTC 52797 T ) are proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain 5.0403-2 T , was isolated from a cave soil sample collected from Tiandong Cave, Guizhou Province, south-west PR China. Cells showed positive oxidase and catalase reactions. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C 15 : 0 , summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω7 c and/or C 16 : 1  ω6 c ), iso-C 17 : 0 3OH and summed feature 9 (iso-C 17 : 1  ω9 c or C 16 : 0 10-methyl). The cellular polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospholipid, three unidentified phosphoglycolipids and four unidentified lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.0 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 5.0403-2 T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium . Results of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain 5.0403-2 T was most similar to Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685 T (98.7 %), Sphingobacterium composti KCTC 12578 T (98.0 %) and Sphingobacterium alimentarium DSM 22362 T (97.3 %) and less than 95.0 % similar to other species of the genus Sphingobacterium . The average nucleotide identity values between strain 5.0403-2 T and S. bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685 T , S. composti KCTC 12578 T and S. alimentarium DSM 22362 T were 94.2, 82.3 and 77.2 % respectively. The digitalDNA-DNA hybridization values between strain 5.0403-2 T and S. bovisgrunnientis KCTC 52685 T , S. composti KCTC 12578 T and S. alimentarium DSM 22362 T were 68.4, 25.6 and 20.7 %. These results indicated that the isolate represented a novel genomic species. The polyphasic taxonomic characteristics indicated that strain 5.0304-2 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium cavernae sp. nov. (type strain 5.0403-2 T =KCTC 62981 T =CCTCC AB 2019257 T ) is proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and non-spore-forming bacterium, designated HAL-9 T , was isolated from oil-contaminated soil in Daqing oilfield, Heilongjiang Province, PR China. Strain HAL-9 T was able to degrade quizalofop- p -ethyl and diclofop-methyl. Growth was observed at 10-35 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 7.0) and salinity of 0 %-5.0 % (w/v; optimum 1.0 %). The results of phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene indicated that strain HAL-9 T belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed the highest sequence similarity (98.3 %) to Sphingobacterium alkalisoli Y3L14 T , followed by Sphingobacterium mizutaii DSM 11724 T (95.1 %) and Sphingobacterium lactis DSM 22361 T (95.1 %). Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1 ω 7 c and/or C 16 : 1 ω 6 c ), iso-C 15: 0 and iso-C 17 : 0 3-OH. The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, three phosphoglycolipids and three unidentified lipids. The draft genome of strain HAL-9 T was 5.41 Mb. The G+C content of strain HAL-9 T was 40.6 mol%. Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity and in silico DNA-DNA hybridization values between strain HAL-9 T and S. alkalisoli Y3L14 T were 86.2 % and 32.8 %, respectively, which were below the standard thresholds for species differentiation. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, strain HAL-9 T represents a novel species in the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium olei sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HAL-9 T (=ACCC 61581 T =CCTCC AB 2019176 T =KCTC 72287 T ).

A bacterial strain M05W1-28 T was isolated from a well that collected water for irrigation from a deep aquifer at a depth of 400 m. Cells were observed to be rod-shaped, non-motile, aerobic, stained Gram-negative. Optimal growth was obtained at pH 7.0 (range: 6.0-9.0), 28 °C (range: 15-37 °C) and 0 % NaCl (range: 0-1.5 %, w/v) in modified tryptic soy broth (mTSB) without added NaCl and R2A. The cells were found to be positive for catalase and oxidase activities. The major fatty acids (>10 %) were identified as summed feature 3 (C 16 : 1  ω 7 c / C 16 : 1  ω 6 c ) and iso-C 15 : 0 . The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, glycolipid, phosphoglycolipids, phospholipids, and unidentified lipids. The major respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7 (MK-7). The genomic G+C content of strain M05W1-28 T was 40.7 %. Based on similarities of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain M05W1-28 T was affiliated with the genus Sphingobacterium , exhibiting the highest sequence similarities with S. multivorum LMG 8342 T (97.5 %), S. ginsenosidimutans THG07 T (97.1 %) and less than 97.0 % to other members of the genus. The average nucleotide identity (ANI) and digital DNA-DNA hybridisation values (dDDH) between M05W1-28 T and S. multivorum LMG 8342 T were 78.1 and 22.5 %, respectively. Phenotypic characteristics including enzyme activities and carbon source utilisation differentiated the strain from other Sphingobacterium species. The phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic properties suggested that strain M05W1-28 T represented a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium , for which the name Sphingobacterium puteale sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M05W1-28 T (=CGMCC 1.13711 T =KCTC 72027 T ).

Assessment of the bacterial diversity associated with a decaying fern, Athyrium wallichianum Ching, revealed the presence of a novel bacterial strain named M46 T . It was Gram-stain-negative, rod-shaped, non-motile and aerobic with cellulose and xylan degradation abilities. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain M46 T was affiliated to the genus Sphingobacterium, exhibiting the highest sequence similarity of 97.9 % to Sphingobacterium ginsenosidimutans THG 07 T , Sphingobacterium canadense CR11 T and Sphingobacterium detergens6.2 S T . Multilocus sequence analysis (MLSA) based on concatenated sequences of the rpoB, cpn60 and 16S rRNA genes showed that strain M46 T clustered together with S. canadense CR11 T . The genome of strain M46 T had a G+C content of 40.6 mol% and chromosome of 6 853 865 bp. Average nucleotide identity (ANI) between strain M46 T and S. detergens 6.2 S T and S. siyangense SY1 T was 85.1 and 78.1 %, respectively. DNA-DNA relatedness values among strain M46 T and other closely related Sphingobacterium species were <70 %. ANI and DNA-DNA relatedness findings strongly supported M46 T as a putative novel strain of Sphingobacterium. The predominant fatty acids of strain M46 T were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, and MK-7 was the dominant isoprenoid quinone. The polar lipid profile of strain M46 T contained phosphatidylethanolamine as the dominant component, while minor amounts of phosphoglycolipid, one unidentified aminophospholipid, two unidentified phospholipids and four unidentified lipids were also detected. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, MLSA results, genomic characteristics, and phenotypic and biochemotaxonomic analyses, strain M46 T is considered to represent a novel species in the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium athyrii sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is M46 T (=CGMCC 1.13466 T =JCM 32543 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped, bacterial strain, designated 5JN-11 T , was isolated from Haloxylonammodendron stems in Kumtag desert, Xinjiang province, China. Strain 5JN-11 T grew at salinities of 0-6 % (w/v; optimum 0-2 %), a pH of 7.0-9.0 (pH 7.0-8.0) and temperatures of 20-42 °C (28-30 °C). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, the strain was designated a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and the phylogenetic analysis showed that strain 5JN-11 T shared the highest similarity to Sphingobacterium gobiense H7 T , followed by Sphingobacterium chuzhouense DH-5 T and Sphingobacterium arenae H-12 T . The unfinished draft genome of strain 5JN-11 T was 4.69 Mb. The G+C content of strain 5JN-11 T was 42.8 mol%. The average nucleotide identity to S. gobiense H7 T was 90.5 %. The respiratory quinone was MK-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipid. The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, strain 5JN-11 T represents a novel species in the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumhaloxyli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 5JN-11 T (=ACCC 60072 T =KCTC 62457 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated MLS-26-JM13-11 T , was isolated from potato stems, collected in Guyuan County, Hebei Province, China. Strain MLS-26-JM13-11 T could grow at 10-39 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 6.0-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.2) and in the presence of 0-4.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 1.0 % w/v). Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain MLS-26-JM13-11 T formed a stable clade with Sphingobacterium bambusae IBFC2009 T and Sphingobacterium griseoflavum SCU-B140 T , with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 95.9 % to 97.0 %. The major cellular fatty acids comprised iso-C15 : 0 (36.9 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, 34.0 %), C16 : 0 (3.0 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (13.4 %). Strain MLS-26-JM13-11 T contained sphingoglycolipid, phosphatidyl ethanolamine, six unknown lipids, one unknown aminolipid, four unknown polarlipids and two unknown aminophospholipids. The isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The DNA G+C content was 42.6 mol%. Furthermore, the average nucleotide identity and in silico estimated DNA-DNA reassociation values among MLS-26-JM13-11 T and S. bambusae KCTC 22814 T were in all cases below the respective threshold for species differentiation. On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, strain MLS-26-JM13-11 T (=ACCC 60057 T =JCM 32274 T ) represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium solani sp. nov. is proposed.

A cream-coloured, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain Brt-F T , was isolated from oil-contaminated soil. Strain Brt-F T was able to grow from 15 to 45 °C, pH 6.5-10.5 and 0-4.5 % (w/v) NaCl concentration. This strain was taxonomically characterized by a polyphasic approach. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain Brt-F T represented a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared highest sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium chuzhouense DH-5 T (99.4 %); Sphingobacterium gobiense H7 T (95.7 %) and Sphingobacterium arenae H-12 T (94.3 %). The only respiratory quinone was menaquinone-7, the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine and the predominant fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C15 : 0, and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 43.4 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between strain Brt-F T and S. chuzhouense KCTC 42746 T was 35.7 %, which falls below the threshold value of 70 % for the strain to be considered as novel. The morphological, physiological, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic analyses clearly distinguished this strain from its closest phylogenetic neighbours. Thus, strain Brt-F T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumterrae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is Brt-F T (=KEMB 9005-691 T =KACC 19392 T =JCM 32159 T ).

A novel Gram-negative, rod shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated strain YK2 T , was isolated from yak milk from Leh, India. The strain was positive for oxidase- and catalase-activities and negative for starch hydrolysis, nitrate reduction, citrate utilization, urease, lysine decarboxylase and ornithine decarboxylase activities. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, iso-C17 : 1ω9c and C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c and/or iso-C15 : 0 2-OH (summed feature 3). The major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified aminophospholipid and six unidentified lipids. The DNA G+C content of the strain was 38.9 mol%. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain YK2 T was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and closely related to Sphingobacterium alimentarium and Sphingobacterium composti with pair-wise sequence similarity of 98.3 and 97.9 %, respectively. The sequence similarity to other members of the genus Sphingobacterium was between 92.6 to 96.3 %. Phylogenetic analysis showed that strain YK2 T clustered with Sphingobacterium alimentarium and together clustered with Sphingobacterium composti. DNA-DNA hybridization of strain YK2 T with Sphingobacterium alimentarium WCC 4521 T and Sphingobacterium composti T5-12 T showed a relatedness of only 38 and 54 %, respectively. Based on the phenotypic characteristics and on phylogenetic inference, it appears that strain YK2 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain of Sphingobacterium bovisgrunnientis sp. nov. is YK2 T (=MTCC 12631 T =KCTC 52685 T =JCM 31951 T ).

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile and rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain h337 T , was isolated from an arable soil sample of a tobacco field in Kunming, south-west China. The cells showed oxidase-positive and catalase-positive reactions. Growth was observed at 10-35 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0 and in the presence of up to 3 % (w/v) NaCl, with optimal growth at 30 °C, pH 7.0 and with 1-2 % (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were identified as iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) and summed feature 4 (iso-C17 : 1 I and/or anteiso-C17 : 1 B). The cellular polar lipids contained phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingophospholipid, four unidentified phospholipids, five unidentified lipids and three unidentified aminophospholipids. The genomic DNA G+C content was 41.5 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain h337 T should be assigned to the genus Sphingobacterium. 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity analysis showed that strain h337 T was most closely related to 'Sphingobacteriumyamdrokense' 3-0-1 (98.8 %) and Sphingobacteriumyanglingense CCNWSP36-1 T (98.5 %) and shared less than 97 % similarity with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization data indicated that the isolate represented a novel genomic species belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium. The characteristics determined in this polyphasic taxonomic study indicated that strain h337 T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium tabacisoli sp. nov. (type strain h337 T =KCTC 52298 T =CCTCC AB 2017155 T ) is proposed.

A Gram-stain-negative, facultatively aerobic bacterium, designated strain D1 T , was isolated from soil in South Korea. Cells of strain D1 T were non-motile rods with oxidase- and catalase-positive activities. Growth was observed at 15-40 °C (optimum, 30-37 °C), at pH 5.5-9.0 (optimum, pH 7.0-8.0) and in the presence of 0.0-5.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.0-1.0 %). The only respiratory quinone detected was menaquinone 7 (MK-7), and iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c) were identified as the major fatty acids. Phosphatidylethanolamine was the major polar lipid, and two unidentified glycophospholipids and four unidentified lipids were also detected as minor polar lipids. Sphingolipids, a typical chemotaxonomic feature of the genus Sphingobacterium, were detected. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 43.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain D1 T formed a phyletic lineage with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4 T within the genus Sphingobacterium. Strain D1 T was most closely related to S. hotanense XH4 T (98.1 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity) and Sphingobacterium cellulitidis R-53603 T (97.2 %), and the DNA-DNA relatedness level between strain D1 T and the type strain of S. cellulitidis was 43.1±0.7 %. Based on the phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and molecular features, strain D1 T clearly represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium humi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is D1 T (=KACC 18595 T =JCM 31225 T ).

A Gram-stain negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, 23D10-4-9 T , was isolated from symptomatic canker bark tissue of Populus × euramericana. The isolate grew between 4 and 35 °C, with optimal growth occurring at 25 °C. The species was positive for catalase and negative for oxidase activity. Nitrate was not reduced to nitrite. It showed activities toward β-galactosidase and β-glucosidase. Citrate was not utilized. Acid was produced from d-glucose. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 1ω7c and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The main polar lipid profiles of the novel isolate included phosphatidylethanolamine, phospholipids and seven unknown lipids. The predominant menaquinone of the novel isolate was MK-7. The DNA G+C content was 40.6 mol%. 16S rRNA gene data revealed that the novel isolate shares the greatest sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium populi 7Y-4 T (96.1 %). Based on phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, the isolate represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumcorticis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 23D10-4-9 T (=CFCC 12640 T =KCTC 42248 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated YIM X0211T, was isolated from a soil sample of Shiling County, Yunnan Province, south-west China. The new isolate was characterized taxonomically by using a polyphasic approach. The strain grew optimally at 30 °C, at pH 7.0 and with 0-3 % (w/v) NaCl. It was positive for catalase and oxidase but negative for H2S production. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis showed that strain YIM X0211T fell within the cluster comprising Sphingobacterium species and clustered with Sphingobacterium mizutaii DSM 11724T (97.93 % similarity). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.2 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was menaquinone MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 2-OH, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c). The polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingolipid, and several unknown phospholipids or lipids. The DNA-DNA hybridization value between strain YIM X0211T and S. mizutaii DSM 11724T was 42.3±0.4 %, which is below the 70 % limit for species delineation. These chemotaxonomic data supported the affiliation of strain YIM X0211T to the genus Sphingobacterium. Based on the recorded phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, it is determined that the isolate represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium soli sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is YIM X0211T (=KCTC 42696T=CGMCC 1.15966T).

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium designated Y3L14T was isolated from the saline-alkaline soil of a farmland, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Strain Y3L14T could grow at 10-40 °C (optimally at 30 °C), pH 6.0-10.0 (optimally at pH 8.0), and in the presence of 0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl (optimally with 0-2.0 %). Phylogenetic analysis based on the 16S rRNA gene and DNA gyrase subunit B (gyrB) gene sequences revealed that strain Y3L14T clustered with strains belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium, sharing the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium lactis WCC 4512T (94.99 %). Its major cellular fatty acids contained iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Menaquinone-7 (MK-7) was the only isoprenoid quinone. Strain Y3L14T contained phosphatidylethanolamine, sphingophospholipid, two unknown phospholipids and three unknown lipids as the major polar lipids. The genomic DNA G+C content of strain Y3L14T was 36.0 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic characteristics, strain Y3L14T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which Sphingobacterium alkalisoli sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is Y3L14T (=CGMCC 1.15782T=KCTC 52379T).

The taxonomic position of two isolates belonging to the genus Sphingobacterium was determined. The first isolate, R-53603T, was obtained from purulent discharge from the toe of a cellulitis patient in Kuwait. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed 99.87 % similarity of R-53603T with environmental isolate P031 (=R-53745) originating from activated sludge in Singapore. The two isolates were phylogenetically positioned on the same sub-branch. Highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity was found with the type strains of Sphingobacterium mizutaii (98.23 %), Sphingobacterium lactis (97.78 %) and Sphingobacterium daejeonense (97.14 %). DNA-DNA hybridizations revealed <70 % relatedness between the two isolates and the type strains of the close phylogenetic neighbours S. mizutaii(18.0-24.5 %), S. lactis(20.3-25.9 %) and S. daejeonense(13.2-20.0 %). The high relative contribution of iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c) in the cellular fatty acid profiles of R-53603T and R-53745, the presence of sphingophospholipids, MK-7 as the dominant menaquinone and phosphatidylethanolamine as the major polar lipid in strain R-53603T are typical chemotaxonomic characteristics for members of the genus Sphingobacterium. Phenotypic features most useful for differentiation of the two novel strains from the most closely related species S. mizutaii include growth on MacConkey agar, and utilization of stachyose, guanidine HCl and lithium chloride in Biolog GEN III tests. Strains R-53603T and R-53745 thus represent a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium cellulitidis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is R-53603T (=LMG 28764T=DSM 102028T).

A novel Gram-staining-negative bacterium, designated DH-5T, was isolated from a farmland soil in Chuzhou, Anhui province, China. Cells of strain DH-5T were aerobic, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The organism grew at 20-37 °C, pH 6.0-9.0 and with 0-5 % NaCl (w/v). The DNA G+C content was 42.8 mol%. The major fatty acids (>5 %) were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0. The respiratory quinone was MK-7, and the major polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphoglycolipid. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain DH-5T was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared the highest similarity with Sphingobacterium gobiense H7T (96.0 %), followed by Sphingobacterium arenae H-12T (94.5 %). Strain DH-5T exhibited low DNA-DNA relatedness with S. gobiense H7T (35.1±1.4 %) and S. arenae H-12T (21.4±1.0 %). On the basis of phenotypic, genotypic and phylogenetic evidence, DH-5T is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium chuzhouense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DH-5T (=ACCC 19856T=KCTC 42746T).

A novel, pale yellow-coloured, Gram-staining-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped and non-motile bacterium, designated as strain CC-YY411T, was isolated from the food-waste compost and subjected to polyphasic taxonomy. Strain CC-YY411T exhibited the highest pairwise 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to Sphingobacterium thermophilum JCM 17858T (94.6 %) while sharing 94.1 to 89.7 % similarities with other Sphingobacterium species. Novel strain established a discrete phylogenetic lineage within the clade that accommodated validly established members of the genus Sphingobacterium. The polar lipid profile of strain CC-YY411T contained major amounts of phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified lipid and two unidentified aminolipids besides accommodating trace amounts of a sphingolipid, two phospholipids, an unidentified aminophospholipid and an unidentified glycolipid. The DNA G+C content of strain CC-YY411T was 34.5 mol%. The major and minor respiratory quinones were MK-7 (89.1 %) and MK-6 (10.9 %), respectively. The predominant fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (24.0 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.9 %), iso-C15 : 0 3-OH (6.9 %), C15 : 1ω5c (5.5 %) and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c) (32.0 %). Based on the phylogenetic, phenotypic and chemotaxonomic distinctiveness, strain CC-YY411T represents a novel species of Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacteriumcibi sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CC-YY411T (=BCRC 80430T=JCM 18407T). Amended species descriptions of Sphingobacterium spiritivorum(Holmes et al. 1982) Yabuuchi et al. 1983 and Sphingobacterium thermophilum Yabe et al. 2013 are also proposed based on new data obtained in this study.

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, non-motile, light yellow, short-rod bacterium (designated GJ30-7T) isolated from compost, was characterized using a polyphasic approach, in order to clarify its taxonomic position. Strain GJ30-7T was observed to grow optimally at 30 °C and at pH 7.0 on R2A agar medium. Strain Gsoil GJ30-7T possessed β-glucosidase activity, which was responsible for its ability to transform ginsenosides Rb1 and Rc (the two main active components of ginseng) to ginsenoside F2. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities, indicated that GJ30-7T belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium of the family Sphingobacteriaceae and was most closely related to Sphingobacterium yanglingense JCM 30166T (92.6 %), Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum KACC 18188T (92.6 %), and Sphingobacterium thermophilum KCTC 23708T (92.0 %). The DNA G+C content was 43 mol% and MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone. The main polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine, one unidentified phospolipid and one unknown polar lipid. In contrast to standard and reference strains, unidentified sphingolipid was also present. The predominant fatty acids of strain GJ30-7T were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c (summed feature 3) and iso-C17 : 1ω9c and/or C16 : 0 10-methyl (summed feature 9), supporting the affiliation of strain GJ30-7T to the genus Sphingobacterium. However, strain GJ30-7T could be distinguished genotypically and phenotypically from species of the genus Sphingobacterium with validly published names. The novel isolate therefore represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium jejuense sp. nov. is proposed, with the type strain GJ30-7T (=KACC 18625T=JCM 30948T).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, non-motile bacterial strain, 7Y-4T, was isolated from bark tissue of Populus × euramericana. The isolate was able to grow between 10 and 37 °C, with optimal growth occurring at 28-30 °C. Strain 7Y-4T was positive for oxidase and catalase activities, but did not reduce nitrite from nitrate. Positive reactions were observed for the activities of β-galactosidase, urease and β-glucosidase, but negative reactions for the activities of gelatinase and the production of indole, acetoin and H2S. Citrate was not utilized. The major fatty acids of strain 7Y-4T are iso-C15 : 0 (28.6 %), C16 : 1ω7c/C16 : 1ω6c (31.8 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (23.3 %).The major polar lipids of the novel isolate include phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown phospholipids (PL1-3) and six unknown lipids (L1-6), and the predominant menaquinone is MK-7. The DNA G+C content is 41.7 mol%. Analysis of 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that the novel isolate shared the greatest sequence similarity with Sphingobacterium hotanense XH4T (93.50 %). On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain 7Y-4T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium populi is proposed. The type strain is 7Y-4T (=CFCC 11742T=KCTC 42247T).

A yellow-pigmented strain (JM-1081 T ) isolated from healthy stem tissue of Zea mays was taxonomically characterized. Cells of the strain were rod-shaped and Gram-stain-negative. Comparative 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed closest relationship to the type strains of Sphingobacterium multivorum (98.1 % similarity), Sphingobacterium mucilaginosum (97.9 %) and Sphingobacterium siyangense (97.8 %). 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to the type strains of all other Sphingobacterium species were below 97.8 %. Fatty acid analysis of whole-cell hydrolysates of the strain resulted in a pattern typical of the genus Sphingobacterium with iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and C16 : 0 and as major compounds. The polyamine pattern contained predominantly sym-homospermidine. The major quinone was menaquinone MK-7 and the only identified lipids in the polar lipid profile were phosphatidylethanolamine and phosphatidylserine. In addition, 15 unidentified lipids were detected in moderate to major amounts. Sphingolipid was detected. The diagnostic diamino acid of the peptidoglycan was meso-diaminopimelic acid. DNA-DNA hybridizations with two of the closely related type strains, those of S. multivorum and S. siyangense, as well as Sphingobacterium canadense resulted in values below 70 %. In addition to the genotypic differences, differential biochemical and chemotaxonomic properties confirmed that the isolate JM-1081 T represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium zeae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is JM-1081 T (=LMG 29191 T =CCM 8652 T ).

A Gram-stain-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterial strain, designated SCU-B140T, was isolated from the insect Teleogryllus occipitalis. Phylogenetic analysis on the basis of 16S rRNA gene sequence showed that strain SCU-B140T belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium. Sphingobacterium bambusae KCTC 22814T (97.87 %) was identified as the most closely related phylogenetic neighbour of strain SCU-B140T. The novel strain was able to grow at salt concentrations of 0-4 % (w/v), at temperatures of 10-40 °C, and at a pH of 6.0-9.0. The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c), C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH, C18 : 0 and C14 : 0. The major polar lipids consisted of phosphatidylethanolamine, three unknown aminophospholipids, an unknown glycolipid and three unknown polar lipids. MK-7 was the major isoprenoid quinone. The DNA G+C content was 41.2 mol%. The DNA-DNA relatedness value between SCU-B140T and S. bambusae KCTC 22814T was found to be 30.15 %. According to these results, strain SCU-B140T represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium griseoflavum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is SCU-B140T ( = KCTC 42158T = CGMCC 1.12966T).

A Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterium, designated T47T, was isolated from saline soil of the Suaeda corniculata rhizosphere, located on the bank of Wuliangsuhai Lake, Inner Mongolia, northern China. Strain T47T could grow at 10-40 °C (with 30 °C the optimal temperature), pH 6.0-8.0 (optimal pH 6.0) and in the presence of 0-6.0 % (w/v) NaCl [optimal 0-1.0 % (w/v)]. Phylogenetic analysis, based on 16S rRNA gene sequences, revealed that strain T47T formed a stable clade with Sphingobacterium composti 4M24T, Sphingobacterium bambusae IBFC2009T, Sphingobacterium paludis S37T and Sphingobacterium wenxiniae LQY-18T, with the 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities ranging from 91.9-95.4 %. Its major cellular fatty acids contained iso-C15 : 0 (39.9 %), summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c, 23.0 %), C16 : 0 (12.8 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (9.9 %). MK7 was the major menaquinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 45.5 mol%. Based on the phenotypic, phylogenetic and genotypic characteristics, strain T47T represents a novel species within the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium suaedae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is T47T ( = CGMCC 1.15277T = KCTC 42662T).

A Gram-stain-negative, strictly aerobic, motile, short-rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain THG-SQA8(T), was isolated from rhizosphere soil of rose in PR China. Strain THG-SQA8(T) was closely related to members of the genus Sphingobacterium, showed the highest sequence similarities with Sphingobacterium multivorum KACC 14105(T) (98.0%) and Sphingobacterium ginsenosidimutans KACC 14526(T) (97.4%). DNA-DNA hybridization showed values of 35.2 ± 0.9% and 8.8 ± 0.3% DNA reassociation with S. multivorum KACC 14105(T) and S. ginsenosidimutans KACC 14526(T), respectively. Chemotaxonomic data revealed that strain THG-SQA8(T) possesses menaquinone-7 as the only respiratory quinone, and summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c), iso-C1 : 0 and C16 : 0 as the major fatty acids. The major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content was 40.7 mol%. These data corroborated the affiliation of strain THG-SQA8(T) to the genus Sphingobacterium. Thus, the isolate represents a novel species, for which the name Sphingobacterium mucilaginosum sp. nov. is proposed, with THG-SQA8(T) as the type strain ( = CCTCC AB 2014317(T) = KCTC 42503(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, short rod-shaped, non-motile, non-spore-forming bacterial strain, designated H7(T), was isolated from the Gobi desert, Xinjiang Province of China. The temperature, NaCl and pH ranges for growth were 8-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), 0-5 % (w/v) NaCl and pH 6-10 (optimum pH 7), respectively. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences revealed that strain H7(T) belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and showed highest sequence similarity (91 %) to Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850. The genomic DNA G+C content was 44.3 mol%. MK-7 was identified as the predominant respiratory quinone. Strain H7(T) contained C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH as major fatty acids. These data support the affiliation of strain H7(T) to the genus Sphingobacterium while phenotypic data indicated it is a representative strain of a novel species for which the name Sphingobacterium gobiense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is H7(T) ( = ACCC 05757(T) = KCTC 32293(T))., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A Gram-staining-negative, non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive strain, designated CCNWSP36-1(T), was isolated from the nodule surface of soybean [Glycine max (L.) Merrill] cultivar Zhonghuang 13. The 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis clearly showed that the isolate represented a member of the genus Sphingobacterium. On the basis of pairwise comparisons of 16S rRNA gene sequences, strain CCNWSP36-1(T) showed 96.8% similarity to Sphingobacterium nematocida CCTCC AB 2010390(T) and less than 95.2% similarity to other members of the genus Sphingobacterium. Growth of strain CCNWSP36-1(T) occurred at 10-40 °C and at pH 5.0-9.0. The NaCl range (w/v) for growth was 0-4%. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The polar lipids were phosphatidylethanolamine and several unidentified polar lipids. Sphingolipid was present. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) and summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)ω6c and/or C(16:1)ω7c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 41.1 mol%. As the physiological and biochemical characteristics of strain CCNWSP36-1(T) and the type strains of its closest phylogenetic neighbours showed clear differences, a novel species, Sphingobacterium yanglingense, is proposed. The type strain is CCNWSP36-1(T) ( =ACCC 19328(T) =JCM 30166(T))., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A novel Gram-stain-negative bacteria, designated S37(T), was isolated from soil of the Xixi wetland, Zhejiang province, China. Cells of strain S37(T) were aerobic, non-motile rods. Growth occurred at 10-37 °C (optimum, 25 °C), pH 5.0-9.7 (optimum, pH 7.5) and with 0-6% (w/v) NaCl (optimum, 0.5%). Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain S37(T) was found to be a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and shared highest similarity with Sphingobacterium composti 4M24(T) (95.78%). The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C15:0 2-OH and/or C16:1ω7c), iso-C15:0 and iso-C17:0 3-OH, and the DNA G+C content was 43.8 mol%. The predominant respiratory quinone was MK-7. Based on its phenotypic and chemotaxonomic characteristics and phylogenetic data, strain S37(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium paludis sp. nov. (type strain S37(T) = CGMCC 1.12801(T) = NBRC 110386(T)) is proposed., (© 2014 IUMS.)

A novel, Gram-stain-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, short rod-shaped, aerobic bacterium designated H-12(T) was isolated from a mixed sandy soil sample collected from Xinjiang, China. Strain H-12(T) grew at 20-37 °C (optimum, 30 °C), pH 7.0-11.0 (optimum, pH 8.5) on TGY medium with 0-5 % NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain H-12(T) shared sequence similarities with Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850(T) (90.0 %). Strain H-12(T) showed a low level of DNA-DNA relatedness to Sphingobacterium composti DSM 18850(T) (45.5 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone of strain H-12(T) was MK-7 and the major polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The predominant cellular fatty acids were C16:1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c, iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH, C16 : 0, C16 : 0 3-OH and iso-C15 : 0 3-OH. DNA G+C content of strain H-12(T) was 44.15 mol%. On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain H-12(T) is proposed to be a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium arenae sp. nov. is suggested and the type strain is H-12(T) ( = ACCC 05758(T) = KCTC 32294(T)).

A Gram-stain-negative, yellow, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated N7(T), was isolated from a soil sample collected from a rice field in Jiangsu, China, and was characterized using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. Strain N7(T) grew optimally at 25-30 °C, pH 6.0-8.0, and in the presence of 1 % NaCl (w/v). 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that strain N7(T) was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and was closely related to Sphingobacterium multivorum IAM14316(T) (97.49 %) and Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) (97.11 %), sharing less than 97 % sequence similarities with other species of the genus Sphingobacterium. The predominant respiratory quinone of strain N7(T) was MK-7 and major fatty acids were summed features 3 (C16 : 1ω6c and/or C16 : 1ω7c), iso-C15 : 0, C16 : 0 and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH. The G+C content of the DNA was 40.9±0.5 mol%. The levels of DNA-DNA relatedness between strain N7(T) and the most closely related species S. multivorum IAM 14316(T) and S. canadense CR11(T) were 21 % and 15 %, respectively. Based on these results, strain N7(T) is proposed to represent a separate species within the genus Sphingobacterium. The name Sphingobacterium changzhouense sp. nov. is suggested and the type strain is N7(T) ( = CCTCC AB 2012100(T) = KACC 16854(T)).

The taxonomic status of a bacterium, strain DC-8(T), isolated from activated sludge, was determined using a polyphasic taxonomic approach. The cells of strain DC-8(T) were Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming and rod-shaped. The isolate grew at temperature range of 10-40 °C (optimum 30-35 °C), pH range of 5.0-10.0 (optimum 6.5-8.0) and NaCl concentrations of 0-5% (optimum 0-1%). The predominant menaquinone of strain DC-8(T) was MK-7 and major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (C16:1ω6c and/or C16:1ω7c; 39.7%), iso-C15:0 (33.7%) and C16:0 (5.2%). The DNA G+C content was 39.8 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequence comparison revealed that strain DC-8(T) was a member of the genus Sphingobacterium. Strain DC-8(T) shared the highest similarity with Sphingobacterium siyangense SY1(T) (98.4%), Sphingobacterium multivorum IAM 14316(T) (98.3%), Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) (98.0%) and Sphingobacterium detergens 6.2S(T) (97.9%) and shared less than 97% similarity with other members of the genus Sphingobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments showed that the DNA-DNA relatedness values between strain DC-8(T) and its closest phylogenetic neighbours were below 70%. Based on the phylogenetic analysis, DNA-DNA hybridization, whole-cell fatty acid composition as well as biochemical characteristics, strain DC-8(T) was clearly distinguished from all recognized species of the genus Sphingobacterium and should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium caeni sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is DC-8(T) (=CCTCC AB 2012020(T)=KACC 16850(T)).

A Gram-negative bacterium, designated CKTN2(T), was isolated from compost. Cells of strain CKTN2(T) were strictly aerobic rods. The isolate grew at 20-50 °C (optimum 40-45 °C), but not below 15 °C or above 52 °C, and at pH 5.9-8.8 (optimum pH 7.0), but not below pH 5.4 or above pH 9.3. The DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The major fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0 (45.2 %), iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (11.1 %) and C18 : 0 (14.5 %). Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain CKTN2(T) revealed that it is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and is most closely related to Sphingobacterium alimentarium DSM 22362(T) (93.2 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Strain CKTN2(T) could be distinguished from its closest phylogenetic relatives by different phenotypic characteristics. According to the phenotypic and genotypic characteristics, strain CKTN2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium thermophilum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is CKTN2(T) ( = JCM 17858(T)  = KCTC 23708(T)).

A psychrophilic, Gram-negative bacterium, designated MOL-1(T), was isolated from water of Lake Michigan. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis revealed that the sequence of strain MOL-1(T) has sequence similarity of 95.6, 94.8, 94.3, 94.3, 94.2 and 93.9 %, respectively, to the 16S rRNA gene sequences of Sphingobacterium shayense HS39(T), S. lactis WCC 4512(T), S. composti T5-12(T), S. daejeonense TR6-04(T), S. bambusae IBFC2009(T) and S. alimentarium WCC 4521(T). The major cellular fatty acids were iso-C15 : 0, iso-C17 : 0 3-OH and summed feature 3 (iso-C15 : 0 2-OH and/or C16 : 1ω7c). Menaquinone MK-7 is the predominant respiratory quinone, while sym-homospermidine is the predominant polyamine. The polar lipid profile is composed of the predominant lipids phosphatidylethanolamine and unidentified polar lipid L2, with moderate amounts of unidentified polar lipids L1, L5 and L6 and unidentified aminophospholipids APL1 and APL2 and minor to trace amounts of unidentified polar lipids L3, L4, L7, L8, L9 and L10, unidentified phospholipid PL4 and unidentified aminophospholipid APL3. After molecular and phenotypic studies, including chemotaxonomic analyses, it was concluded that strain MOL-1(T) represents a novel Sphingobacterium species, for which the name Sphingobacterium psychroaquaticum sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is MOL-1(T) ( = NRRL B-59232(T)  = DSM 22418(T)).

A novel Gram-staining-negative bacterial strain, designated XH4(T), was isolated from soil of a Populus euphratica forest in the Hotan River valley, Xinjiang Uyghur autonomous region, PR China. The cells were strictly aerobic, non-motile, short rods. The isolate grew optimally at 37 °C and at pH 7.0-8.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain XH4(T) belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium and was closely related to Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) (96.1 % sequence similarity). The DNA G+C content was 41.2 mol%. The major polar lipid of strain XH4(T) was phosphatidylethanolamine, and several unidentified polar lipids were also present. Strain XH4(T) showed the typical chemotaxonomic features of the genus Sphingobacterium, with the presence of ceramide phosphorylethanolamine 2 (CerPE-2) as the major ceramide. The major cellular fatty acids of strain XH4(T) were iso-C15 : 0 (34.0 %), summed feature 3 (C16 : 1ω7c and/or C16 : 1ω6c; 20.7 %) and iso-C17 : 0 3-OH (14.7 %). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. On the basis of phenotypic data and phylogenetic inference, strain XH4(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium hotanense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is XH4(T) ( = NRRL B-59204(T)  = CCTCC AB 209007(T)). Emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium daejeonense and Sphingobacterium shayense are also given.

A strictly aerobic, Gram-stain-negative bacterium, designated strain No.6(T), was isolated from a lichen (Cladonia sp.) collected in Geogeum Island, Korea, and its taxonomic status was established by a polyphasic study. Cells of strain No.6(T) were non-motile, catalase- and oxidase-positive, non-spore-forming rods. Growth was observed at 15-35 °C (optimum, 25-30 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum, pH 6.0-8.0) and with 0-3 % NaCl (optimum, 0-2 %). The predominant cellular fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH and/or C(16 : 1)ω7c, 41.5 %), iso-C(15 : 0) (26.7 %) and C(16 : 0) (9.6 %), and menaquinone MK-7 was the only respiratory quinone. The G+C content of the genomic DNA of strain No.6(T) was 36.8 mol%. A phylogenetic tree based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain No.6(T) fell within the evolutionary group encompassed by the genus Sphingobacterium. Levels of 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity between the novel strain and the type strains of recognized Sphingobacterium species ranged from 92.1 to 99.1 %, the highest values being with Sphingobacterium siyangense SY1(T) (99.1 %) and Sphingobacterium multivorum IAM 14316(T) (98.5 %). DNA-DNA relatedness between strain No.6(T) and these two type strains were 32.0 and 5.7 %, respectively. The polar lipids found in strain No.6(T) were phosphatidylethanolamine, two unidentified phospholipids, three unidentified aminophospholipids, one glycolipid and four unidentified lipids. One unidentified sphingolipid was also found. On the basis of phenotypic and genotypic data, strain No.6(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium cladoniae sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is No.6(T) ( = KCTC 22613(T) = JCM 16113(T)). An emended description of Sphingobacterium siyangense is also proposed.

A novel Gram-negative-staining strain, designated 6.2S(T), was isolated from a soil sample and identified as a biosurfactant producer. Its taxonomic position was investigated using a polyphasic approach. The cells were non-motile, non-spore-forming rods. The organism grew optimally at 30-37 °C, with 0-3% (w/v) NaCl, and at pH 7.0. Based on 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis, strain 6.2S(T) was found to be a member of the genus Sphingobacterium and was most closely related to four type species of the genus, showing sequence similarities of 96.8-98.9%. Partial chaperonin 60 (cpn60) gene sequence analysis was useful in resolving the phylogenetic relationships between strain 6.2S(T) and closely related taxa, with similarities ranging from 85.5% (with Sphingobacterium thalpophilum DSM 11723(T)) to 90.3% (with Sphingobacterium canadense CR11(T) and Sphingobacterium multivorum JCM 21156(T)). The results of DNA-DNA hybridization experiments between the novel strain and its closest relatives gave a DNA-DNA relatedness value of less than 70%, and consequently confirmed that this new strain did not belong to a previously described species of the genus Sphingobacterium. The major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (iso-C(15:0) 2 OH and/or C(16:1)ω7c); iso-C(15:0); iso-C(17:0) 3-OH and C(16:0). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.0 mol%. According to its phenotypic and genotypic characteristics and the phylogenetic data, strain 6.2S(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium detergens sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is 6.2S(T) ( = CECT 7938(T) = LMG 26465(T)).

A Gram-reaction-negative, strictly aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile strain, designated 2-1-2(T), was isolated from perchloroethylene/trichloroethene-contaminated soil in Suwon, South Korea. A polyphasic approach was used to study the taxonomic position of strain 2-1-2(T). Strain 2-1-2(T) showed highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities to Sphingobacterium daejeonense TR6-04(T) (97.9%) and Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) (97.1%); sequence similarities to other Sphingobacterium species were less than 93.0%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that strain 2-1-2(T) belonged to the clade formed by members of the genus Sphingobacterium in the family Sphingobacteriaceae. The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 36.6 mol%. Strain 2-1-2(T) showed the typical chemotaxonomic features of the genus Sphingobacterium, with the presence of a ceramide phosphorylethanolamine (CerPE-2) as the major ceramide, menaquinone 7 (MK-7) as the predominant respiratory quinone and iso-C(15:0), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and/or C(16:1)ω7c) as the major fatty acids. On the basis of phylogenetic inference, fatty acid profile and other phenotypic properties, and DNA-DNA relatedness, strain 2-1-2(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium kyonggiense sp. nov. is proposed; the type strain is 2-1-2(T) (=KEMC 2241-005(T)=JCM 16704(T)). Emended descriptions of Sphingobacterium daejeonense and Sphingobacterium mizutaii are also proposed.

A novel Gram-negative strain, designated M-SX103(T), was isolated from a fresh leaf of Nicotiana tabacum Linn. collected at Yuxi City, Yunnan province, China, and subjected to a polyphasic taxonomic study. Growth occurred at 10-40 °C, at pH 6.0-9.0 and with 0-3% (w/v) NaCl. The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. The major cellular fatty acids of strain M-SX103(T) were iso-C(15:0), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH and summed feature 3 (C(16:1)ω7c and/or C(16:1)ω6c). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.6 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences showed that the isolate belongs to the genus Sphingobacterium, sharing 95.4-89.7% sequence similarity with type strains of members of the genus Sphingobacterium; it was most closely related to Sphingobacterium composti T5-12(T). On the basis of the taxonomic evidence, a novel species, Sphingobacterium nematocida sp. nov., is proposed. The type strain is M-SX103(T) ( = JCM 17339(T) = CCTCC AB 2010390(T)).

Four non-fermenting, rod-shaped, Gram-staining-negative bacterial strains, designated WCC 4512(T), WS 4555, WCC 4521(T) and WS 4556, were isolated from raw milk and the dairy environment. Phylogenetic analyses based on 16S rRNA and groEL gene sequences demonstrated the affiliation of the four strains to two distinct clusters within the class Sphingobacteriia, phylum 'Bacteroidetes'. Strains WCC 4512(T) and WS 4555 showed the highest 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity to the type strain of S. daejeonense (97.3 and 97.2%, respectively), whereas strains WCC 4521(T) and WS 4556 were most closely related to S. composti LMG 23401(T) (97.6% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The DNA G+C contents of strains WCC 4512(T) and WCC 4521(T) were 44.2 and 39.3 mol%, respectively. The major cellular fatty acids and the presence of menaquinone MK-7 as the predominant quinone for both strains WCC 4512(T) and WCC 4521(T) supported their affiliation to the genus Sphingobacterium. DNA-DNA hybridization experiments between strain WCC 4512(T) and S. daejeonense LMG 23402(T) and between strain WCC 4521(T) and S. composti LMG 23401(T) revealed DNA relatedness values of 2% (repetition, 3%) and 8% (repetition, 17%), respectively. On the basis of phenotypic and genetic properties, as well as phylogenetic distinctiveness, it is suggested that the four strains represent two novel Sphingobacterium species with strain WCC 4512(T) (=DSM 22361(T)=LMG 25272(T)) as the type strain of Sphingobacterium lactis sp. nov. (WS 4555 is a reference strain of S. lactis) and strain WCC 4521(T) (=DSM 22362(T)=LMG 25273(T)) as the type strain of Sphingobacterium alimentarium sp. nov. (WS 4556 is a reference strain of S. alimentarium).

A Gram-negative, non-motile, non-spore-forming, non-flagellated rod capable of degrading cypermethrin, designated LQY-18(T), was isolated from activated sludge of a wastewater treatment plant in China. Strain LQY-18(T) grew at 8-40 °C (optimum 30 °C), at pH 5.0-10.0 (optimum pH 7.0) and with 0-5% (w/v) NaCl (optimum 1%). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7 (97%) and the major fatty acids were summed feature 3 (comprising C(16:1)ω6c and/or C(16:1)ω7c), iso-C(15:0) and iso-C(17:0) 3-OH. The DNA G+C content was 40.3 mol%. Phylogenetic analysis revealed that the isolate belonged to the genus Sphingobacterium of the phylum Bacteroidetes and showed low 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity with recognized members of the genus Sphingobacterium. The closest neighbour was Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) (92.9% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). On the basis of phenotypic, genetic and phylogenetic data, strain LQY-18(T) (=ACCC 05410(T)=CCTCC AB 2010005(T)=KCTC 23009(T)) should be classified as a representative of a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium wenxiniae sp. nov. is proposed.

A novel hydrocarbon-degrading, Gram-negative, obligately aerobic, non-motile, non-sporulating, rod-shaped bacterium, designated strain TBF2/20.2(T), was isolated from a biofilter clean-up facility set up on a hydrocarbon-contaminated site in Hungary. It was characterized by using a polyphasic approach to determine its taxonomic position. Phylogenetic analysis based on 16S rRNA gene sequences indicated that the isolate is affiliated with the genus Olivibacter in the family Sphingobacteriaceae. It was found to be related most closely to Olivibacter ginsengisoli Gsoil 060(T) (93.3% 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). Strain TBF2/20.2(T) grew at pH 6-9 (optimally at pH 6.5-7.0) and at 15-42 °C (optimally at 30-37 °C). The major fatty acids were iso-C(15:0) (39.4%), summed feature 3 (iso-C(15:0) 2-OH and/or C(16:1)ω7c; 26.0%), iso-C(17:0) 3-OH (14.5%) and C(16:0) (4.5%). The major menaquinone was MK-7 and the predominant polar lipid was phosphatidylethanolamine. The DNA G+C content of strain TBF2/20.2(T) was 41.2 mol%. Physiological and chemotaxonomic data further confirmed the distinctiveness of strain TBF2/20.2(T) from recognized members of the genus Olivibacter. Thus, strain TBF2/20.2(T) is considered to represent a novel species of the genus Olivibacter, for which the name Olivibacter oleidegradans sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is TBF2/20.2(T) (=NCAIM B 02393(T) =CCM 7765(T)).

A Gram-negative, aerobic, rod-shaped, non-motile bacterium, designated BZ42(T), was isolated from the soil of an industrial site. Strain BZ42(T) was able to grow at 5-25 °C. The major fatty acids were iso-C(15 : 0) (46.2 %), C(16 : 1)ω7c and/or iso-C(15 : 0) 2-OH (23.2 %) and iso-C(17 : 0) 3-OH (9.1 %). The predominant menaquinone was MK-7. The genomic DNA G+C content was 36.5 mol% (HPLC). 16S rRNA gene sequence phylogenetic analysis revealed that strain BZ42(T) was a member of the genus Pedobacter, family Sphingobacteriaceae, and 16S rRNA gene sequence similarities between strain BZ42(T) and the type strains of species of the genus Pedobacter with validly published names were 90.4-93.2 %. On the basis of phenotypic, chemotaxonomic and phylogenetic distinctiveness, strain BZ42(T) was considered to represent a novel species of the genus Pedobacter, for which the name Pedobacter bauzanensis sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is BZ42(T) (=DSM 22554(T) =CGMCC 1.10187(T) =CIP 110134(T)).

A Gram-staining-negative, yellow-coloured, strictly aerobic, non-spore-forming, rod-shaped bacterium, designated HS39(T), isolated from a soil sample collected from a natural Populus euphratica forest in Xinjiang, China, was characterized using a polyphasic approach. The isolate grew optimally at 30-37&emsp14;°C, at pH&emsp14;6.5-8.0 and with 0-3 % NaCl. Analysis of the 16S rRNA gene sequence of strain HS39(T) revealed that it is a member of the genus Sphingobacterium. Sphingobacterium mizutaii ATCC 33299(T) was the nearest relative (94.0 % 16S rRNA gene sequence similarity). The G+C content of the genomic DNA was 40.2 mol%. The major fatty acids were iso-C₁₅:₀, iso-C₁₇:₀ 3-OH and summed feature 3 (comprising C₁₆:₁ω6c and/or C₁₆:₁ω7c). The predominant isoprenoid quinone was MK-7. On the basis of phenotypic properties and phylogenetic inference, strain HS39(T) represents a novel species of the genus Sphingobacterium, for which the name Sphingobacterium shayense sp. nov. is proposed. The type strain is HS39(T) (=CCTCC AB 209006(T) =NRRL B-59203(T)).